Backyard chooks

[sunshine_sieben]

Thanks Christy,
I wouldn't worry about Diamond Snakes (they say 3 out of 4 homes here have one in their roof), but the thought of a Brown Snake or something like that being in my yard makes me queasy. I didn't grow up in Australia, so am scared to death of the not-so-friendly residents of this otherwise fantastic country.
And as mentioned in my OP, I just have to convince DH that they won't attract droves of rats.

ETA:
Also, what do you guys do with chickens that have stopped laying eggs?